Space Shuttle Human Capital and Safety Upgrade Challenges Require Continued Attention

Abstract

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) space shuttle program is at a critical juncture as three key factors converge: its workforce has declined significantly since 1995, its flight rate will have to double over that of recent years to support assembly of the International Space Station, and costly safety upgrades are being planned to enhance the space shuttle's safe operation until at least 2012. As agreed with your office, we examined workforce and safety issues facing NASA and its shuttle program. Specifically, we assessed the impact of workforce reductions on the shuttle program, the challenges NASA faces in addressing workforce issues, and the status of planned shuttle safety and supportability upgrades.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADA381352

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Booster Rocket Engines
  • Business Administration
  • Control Systems
  • Department Of Defense
  • Employment
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Human Resources
  • Launch Vehicles
  • Management Personnel
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Personnel Management
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Resource Management
  • Software Development
  • Space Stations
  • Space Transportation

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management

Technology Areas

  • Space